Following the so-long cooperation and relation between China and Greece, the Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Ioannis Plakiotakis stated that Greece will improve bilateral cooperation with China as an example under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Xinhua, Plakiotakis highlighted the importance of friendship with China, commenting that “A friend is not a partner, not a leader or a follower. Always with mutual respect: this is how we see friends in Greece, and with this position we treat all well-intentioned investments these days in Greece.”
A while ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Greece, marking the cooperation between the two countries and the importance of having good relations. Moreover, Greece thinks of China as a friend and a strategic partner.
In November, Xi’s visit followed the signing of an agreement to boost port of Piraeus with 600 million euros by COSCO shipping; The agreement is part of 16 trade deals signed between the two countries.
Also, Piraeus Port has been transformed into the largest port in the Mediterranean region and is one of the fastest growing container terminals in the world, with its global ranking rising from 93rd in 2010 to 32nd at present in terms of container capacity, and with the Chinese investments leading to a major development of the port.
The Port of Piraeus’ turnover resulted to 70.6 million euros (78.2 million U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2019, up 11.2% year-on-year, and achieved a 5 million TEUs record in November.
Concluding, the Greek Minister addresses that the strategic cooperation between both countries will have positive results and effects.
